dave piccirillo

Dave is a full time strength and conditioning coach and owner of Goldfish Fitness in New York City. Dave is one of only 120 Starting Strength coaches in the world, and prides himself on building a career doing what he loves most. He infuses his two passions - competition and teaching - into everything he does and has coached hundreds of clients of all ages and skill levels, from helping college athletes squat double bodyweight, to helping grandma get up off the floor. When he's not coaching or teaching, you can find him on the road, in the gym, on the field, or in the water training for the next event. He believes that to be the best coach possible, it’s vital not only to learn from other athletes and coaches, but also to experience different styles of training first hand. This methodology drives him to pursue a vast array of sports. He loves to ski, surf, and ride his (brakeless) track bike around the city. Dave is a state champion soccer player and holds top-three finishes as a bodybuilder, powerlifter, triathlete, and obstacle runner; he’s always searching for a new challenge.

In 2014 Dave launched Goldfish Fitness. Its mission: to improve as many lives as possible by strengthening the integrity of the health & fitness industry through education, and by finding, recognizing, and providing the public with the most qualified coaches.

Strength

Starting Strength Coach

Known for its exclusivity and rigorous certification standards, the Starting Strength Coaches Association remains one of the most revered organizations in strength and conditioning today. Coaches who hold the credential are some of the most sought-after barbell coaches in the world. Working as a full time Starting Strength coach since earning his certification in 2011, Dave is proud to be one of 120 members worldwide.

Starting Strength System

“The Starting Strength System makes use of the body's most basic movement patterns – barbell exercises that involve all the body’s muscle mass – utilized over the longest effective range of motion and loaded progressively, to force the adaptations necessary for increased strength.
Unlike other popular exercise protocols, Starting Strength is a training system – a long-term process designed for getting stronger over time, not a random collection of exercises that just make you hot, sweaty, sore, confused, and tired today.”
-Mark Rippetoe

DAVE'S TIMELINE

David Piccirillo

2017

November 18

2017-2018

In the winter of 2017, Dave graduated Magna Cum Laude and received his MBA from Zicklin School of Business. He’s excited to finally open his own gym in the city, where he can finally run s***.

2014

September 21

2014 – 2017

Dave split from the corporate gym life and launched his private brand, Goldfish Fitness. That year, Dave started competing in triathlons, eventually taking home four top 3 finishes in two years, including placing first in his age group at the Lake Welsh Sprint, second in the Runner’s Edge Tobay Triathlon, and third in the annual Central Park Duathlon.

2012

September 18

2012 – 2014

Dave moved to NYC and began working at Equinox in SoHo, eventually becoming a Tier 3+ coach. He earned his Starting Strength Coach credential becoming one of 75 coaches worldwide. He began competing in powerlifting and placed second at the RPS “Heatwave” in the raw classic 183lb weight class.

2011

September 18

2011

After graduating from Hofstra with high distinction, Dave earned his “Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist” (CSCS) certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and began competing in obstacle course races. That year he placed 5th in the Civilian Military Combine, and earned a top ten finish in the Spartan Race in Tuxedo, NY.

2010

September 18

2010

While at Hofstra, David completed his 300-hour practicum, split between working alongside the division I strength coaches at Hofstra and the Professional Athletic Performance Center - a physical therapy/strength and conditioning facility. Between the two, he gained experience working with youths, injured populations, as well as college and professional athletes representing the MLB, NHL, and UFC.

2006

September 18

2006 – 2009

Dave began studying mechanical engineering at Allegheny College where he played Division III soccer. Two years later, he decided to shift focuses and enroll in Hofstra University’s Exercise Science program. He earned his “Certified Personal Trainer” (CPT) certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and graduated from the American Academy of Personal Training. Dave competed in a total of five bodybuilding competitions, eventually placing second at the INBF Hercules in NYC